Christmas Street Football tournament

Young football fans from across Renfrewshire could score themselves an early Christmas present and win the chance to share a pitch with some of their SPL heroes.

Youngsters aged 10 – 16 are being invited to take part in a Street Football tournament on Saturday 10 December.

The winning team in the 13 – 16 age group will then get the chance to take part in a half time 10 second challenge on the first team pitch at the St Mirren V Rangers match on Christmas Eve.

The top two teams in the 10 – 12 age group will get the chance to play a small sided game during half time at St Mirren and Dundee Utd match on December 28.

The tournament is being run as part of the popular Street Stuff programme which is a hugely successful youth diversion activity programme which has helped contribute to significant reductions in youth disorder in communities across Renfrewshire.

The programme has this year expanded to encourage local young people to give back to their communities.

The Kick and Collect scheme encourages the teenagers to give back to communities and in return get the chance to take part in more activities.

St Mirren Manager Danny Lennon said: “This is a great opportunity for young people to get on the pitch in front of a packed crowd at a major SPL game and test their skills. It’s a bit of fun as well as a great way to get young people involved in giving something back to their communities and be a positive example to others.”

All teams taking part in the street football tournament on Saturday 10 December must take part in a community clean up scheme.

Councillor Kenny MacLaren, Renfrewshire Council’s Community Safety Spokesperson, said: “Street Stuff has been a huge success since it started three years ago and now it’s expanding to not just get young people taking part in positive, healthy activities but also to get them giving back to their communities. The Kick and Collect Scheme is a great way to show our appreciation for their hard work.”

Anyone interested in submitting a team (No league teams allowed) send your completed application form to us no later than Friday 2 December 2011